Violin-supporter.



H. A. SMITH.

VIOLIN SUPPORTER.

APPLICATION FILED oemes, 1909.

950,873. Patented Mar. 1,1910.

31" B Y v 1; MP w ATTORNE rs WITNESSES HENRY ALLEN SMITH, OF DANBURY,CONNECTICUT.

VIOLIN-SUPPORTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 1, 1910.

Application filed October 23, 1909. Serial No. 524,100.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY ALLEN SMITH, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Danbury, in the county of Fair-field and State ofConnecticut, have invented a new and Improved Violin-Supporter, of whichthe following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to means for affording support to the body of aviolin while in use, and obviating the strain usually imposed upon thechin and the tendons of the neck of the player.

The purpose of the invention is to provide novel features ofconstruction for a violin support, which are extremely simple, light,convenient in service, afford perfect freedom in handling theinstrument, permit the quick, easy connection of the violin with thesupporting device, and its release therefrom as may be desired.

The invention consists in the novel c011- struction and combination ofparts, as is hereinafter described and defined in the appendedv claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the violin supporter, in position onthe person of the player, the violin being removed; Fig. 2 is anenlarged side view of the heel port-ion of a violin, a chin rest thereonremovably se cured on the violin body, and the improved supportingdevice detachably connected with the chin rest; and Fig. 3 is a detachedperspective view of the improvement.

In the drawings, 5 indicates the heel end of a violin shell or body, 6 atail-piece, E? a flexible connection, and 8 a stud that projects fromthe body 5, whereon the flexible connection is secured by one endthereof, the other end of said connection being attached to thetail-piece 6. A chin rest 9, of any preferred form and material, isremovably secured on the body 5 by means of a clamp that consists of twosections 10 and 11. The section 10 extends downward from the rear end ofthe chin rest 9, passing through a sleeve 11 on the upper end of thesection 11, wherein it is detachably secured by a set screw 10 From thesleeve 11 the section 11 extends down to a point a, where it is bent ata right angle, providing a clamping flange 11", that bears upon thelower side of the violin body and clamps the chin rest 9 on the upperside of said body.

The device that has been described is well-known, and is presented asone means for connectino a violin with the improved support therefor,that, as shown, comprises the following details: A preferably continuousrubber band 12 of proper length and strength is connected at one doubledend thereof, by a split ring 13 with one end of a spring-latching pin14. At the opposite doubled end of the rubber band 12, a circular ring15 is introduced, said ring of suitable diameter having a preferablyrubber casing 15 thereon which provides a noiseless cover for the metalring, or said ring may be entirely of rubber. On the clamping flange 11a hook 16 is secured by one end thereof, it consisting of a wire rodpointed at its free end 6, the body of said hook being bent at 0 so asto project the end 5 forwardly on the lower side of the violin body. Itis to be understood that an elastic cord, or a flat strip of elasticmaterial may be substituted for the continuous rubber band 12.

In arranging the improved supporting device for service, the pin 14 isconnected with the collar of the players vest at a proper point rearwardthereon, which will permitthe disposal of the band 12- and circular ring15, at the left side of the players neck, as shown in Fig. l.Preparatory to the use of the violin, it is manually held in positionwith the chin rest plate or block 9 beneath the chin of the player,toward his left check, or above the ring 15. Now with his left hand, theplayer engages the ring 15 with the hook 16, thus connecting the violinbody 5 at its heel with the supporting device.

It Will be seen that the described connection, while secure, issufliciently elastic to permit a free handling of the violin, so thatits inclination in any direction to enable a proper execution of themusical score is freely permitted, while the weight of the instrument ismainly supported from the person of the player, the engagement of thechin of the player therewith being such that all nervous strain isavoided.

It should be understood that the described means for connecting theimproved supporting means for a violin with such an instrument, may bevaried, and if preferred, the flange l1 may be separate from thevertical member of the section 11. and be secured firmly upon the lowerwall of the body 5 of a Violin, thus disposing the hook member 16 inproper position for the reception of the ring 15.

It will be noted that the improved means for supporting a violin is veryflexible, yields to every movement involuntarily et' fected in therendition. of music on the instrument, does not restrict the execution,but rather facilitates it, as the care required and nervous strainusually incurred in holding the violin gripped on the chest of theplayer by depression of the chin, are completely avoided. This releaseof the neck from nervous strain permits the player to devote all hisefforts to a perfect rendition of the music, and results in a moreperfect execution ot' the same. I

Obviously. at any time it is desired, the violin may be readily detachedfrom the person of the player, by imhooking the hook 16 from the ring15. and if desired, the de vice may be concealed by disposing it beneaththe vest. collar.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. A violin supporting device, comprising a secnrable pin, an elasticmember, means for connecting the pin with said member, and means forconnecting a portion of the elastic member with the heel of a violinbody.

2. A violin supporting device, comprising a secnrable pin, an elongated,fiat, elastic member, means for connecting the pin with one end of saidmember, and means for connecting the other end thereof with the heel. ofa violin body.

A violin supporting device, comprising a spring-latching pin, anendless, elastic band, means for connecting a doubled portion of theband with the spring-latching pin, and means for detachably connectinganother doubled portion of the elastic band with the heel of a violinbody.

4. A violin supporting device, con'iprising a springlatching pin, anendless, elastic band, a split ring connecting a doubled portion of theelastic band with the springlatching pin, a ring on another doubledportion of the elastic band, and means tor dctachably connecting saidring with the heel of a violin body.

A violin supporting device, comprising a spring-latching pin, anendless, elastic band, a split ring connecting a doubled portion ot theelastic band with the springlatching pin, a ring on another doubledportion of the elastic band, and a hook on a violin body detachablyengaged with said ring.

(3. A violin supporting device, comprising a spring-latching pin, anelastic, endless band, a. split ring connecting a doubled portion of theband with the spring-latching pin, an elastically-covered ring engaginganother doubled portion of the elastic band, a flat flange on the heelof a violin body, and a hook on said flange engaged with the coveredring.

7. A violin su1i porting device, eon'iprising a springlatching pin, anendless, elastic band, a split ring connecting a donbl ed portion ofsaid band with the spring-latching pin, an elastically-covered ringconnected with another doubled portion of the elastic band, a chin restclamped on a violin body. and a hook on the chin rest clamp engaged withthe covered ring.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence oi two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY ALLEN HMt'lll.

\Vitnesses:

SAMUEL A. DAVIS, Finn) D. l\IILLs.

